The state in the Near East with the capital Beirut lies on the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. In ancient times, the area was part of Mesopotamia and thus the cradles of wine culture. Part of it belonged to the Canaan of the Israelites described in the Bible. The northern part belonged to Phoenicia, which also included coastal sections of Syria. Numerous Phoenician city-states developed in the core area on the Mediterranean coast and also far beyond. The most important within the present-day borders of Lebanon were Berytos (Beirut), Byblos (Djebeil), Sidon (Sayda) and Tyros (Sur). The Phoenicians ruled here under the temporary strong influence of Egypt and Assyria from the 3rd millennium until the conquest by Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) in 330 B.C. According to excavations in Byblos, a viticultural culture existed here as early as 5,000 years ago. In Baalbek (Greek Heliopolis), today's wine-growing centre of Lebanon in the Bekaa Valley, stands the temple to the wine god Bacchus, built in the 2nd century AD. Over the centuries, there has been a turbulent history with constantly changing Christian and Islamic domains.
![]()
The wein.plus encyclopaedia is a comprehensive, well-researched reference work. Available anytime and anywhere, it has become an indispensable part of teaching, used by students and myself alike. Highly recommended!
Dominik Trick
Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg